Daily Current Affairs 19th and 20th Dec 2020 | Daily GK update Quiz

Exp. India’ Foreign Ministry will launch a website on Economic Diplomacy on 17th Dec to provide a vast repository of resources on economic opportunities and news and facilitate two-way economic engagement.

Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar will launch MEA’s website on Economic Diplomacy http://www.indbiz.gov.in to showcase India’s economic, sectoral, and State-wise strengths that make for an attractive economic partnership. The website is being developed and managed by the Economic Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Exp. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between India and Austria on Technology Cooperation in Road Infrastructure Sector in New Delhi.

The MoU seeks to create a framework for the countries’ mutual cooperation in the field of Road Transportation, Road/Highways infrastructure development, management and administration, road safety and intelligent transport systems. This is to enhance trade and regional integration between the two countries.

Exp. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India today signed a $300 million loan to upgrade rural power distribution networks to provide reliable electricity supply to consumers in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Upgrading the distribution network will help improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply, reduce the aggregate technical and commercial (ATC) losses and restore the financial sustainability of the rural electricity supply in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Exp. The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a US $4.21 million project readiness financing (PRF) facility for the preparation of infrastructure development projects to improve urban amenities and develop tourism infrastructure in Tripura.

This is ADB’s first PRF facility for a state in the northeastern region of India.

Exp. A 29-year-old Indian entrepreneur is among the seven winners of the prestigious “Young Champions of the Earth” 2020 prize given by the UN environment agency to global change-makers using innovative ideas and ambitious action to help solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Vidyut Mohan, an engineer, is the co-founder of “Takachar”, a social enterprise enabling farmers to prevent open burning of their waste farm residues and earn extra income by converting them into value-added chemicals like activated carbon on-site.

Exp.  Veteran industrialist, Ratan Tata will be honoured by the Indo-Israel Chambers of Commerce for promoting innovation that supports sustainability and peace in the region, including with the Palestinians.

The chairman emeritus of the Tata group will be honoured with ‘Global Visionary of Sustainable Business and Peace’ award during the launch of the Federation of Indo-Israel Chamber of Commerce’s international chapter in Dubai on December 21.

Exp. The first ever Filmfare Awards for OTT platforms were given out on Saturday evening. This is the first edition of Filmfare OTT awards as this year streaming services came to their own due to complete shutdown of film production and closure of theatres because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Best Series: Paatal Lok

Best Director (Series): Avinash Arun and Prosit Roy (Paatal Lok)

Best Series (Critics): The Family Man

Best Director (Critics): Krishna DK and Raj Nidimoru (The Family Man)

Best Actor in a Drama Series (Male): Jaideep Ahlawat (Paatal Lok)

Best Actor in a Drama Series (Female): Sushmita Sen (Aarya)

Best Actor in a Drama Series (Critics): Manoj Bajpayee (The Family Man)

Best Actress in a Drama Series (Critics): Priyamani (The Family Man)

Best Actor in a Comedy Series (Male): Jitendra Kumar (Panchayat)

Best Comedy (Series/Specials): Panchayat

Best Film (Web Original): Raat Akeli Hai

Exp. The first ever Filmfare Awards for OTT platforms were given out on Saturday evening. This is the first edition of Filmfare OTT awards as this year streaming services came to their own due to complete shutdown of film production and closure of theatres because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Best Series: Paatal Lok

Best Director (Series): Avinash Arun and Prosit Roy (Paatal Lok)

Best Series (Critics): The Family Man

Best Director (Critics): Krishna DK and Raj Nidimoru (The Family Man)

Best Actor in a Drama Series (Male): Jaideep Ahlawat (Paatal Lok)

Best Actor in a Drama Series (Female): Sushmita Sen (Aarya)

Best Actor in a Drama Series (Critics): Manoj Bajpayee (The Family Man)

Best Actress in a Drama Series (Critics): Priyamani (The Family Man)

Best Actor in a Comedy Series (Male): Jitendra Kumar (Panchayat)

Best Comedy (Series/Specials): Panchayat

Best Film (Web Original): Raat Akeli Hai

Exp. December 18 is celebrated as the World Arabic Language Day. The Arabic language is considered to be one of the oldest and the most widely spoken in the world. Right from the countries in the Middle East to many in North Africa, Arabic is the mother tongue.

Exp. December 18 is celebrated as the World Arabic Language Day. The Arabic language is considered to be one of the oldest and the most widely spoken in the world. Right from the countries in the Middle East to many in North Africa, Arabic is the mother tongue.

Theme 2020: ‘Arabic Language Academies: Necessity or Luxury?’

Exp. Every year, the Goa Liberation day is celebrated on December 19 in India. The day is celebrated to mark the victory of Indian armed forces to free Goa from 450 years of the Portuguese rule.The Portuguese colonized several parts of India in 1510. However, by the end of 19th century their colonies were limited to Daman, Dadra, Goa, Diu, Nagar Haveli. On December 18, 1961, India launched a 36-hour military operation called Operation Vijay. The operation involved attacks by Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. India reclaimed the Goan territories on December 19, 1961.

Exp. International Human Solidarity Day is commemorated each year on the 20th of December, with the aim to celebrate our unity in diversity and promote debate on ways to act together for building a sustainable future for all. The Day also aims to remind governments to fulfil their international commitments.

The day is especially reminded to celebrate unity in diversity, to remind governments to respect their commitments to international agreements, and to encourage debate on ways to promote solidarity for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals to encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication.

Exp. Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan is all set to pen her first book, titled Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Pregnancy Bible. It will be a comprehensive guide to pregnancy and will be published next year.

Kareena shared the news on her son Taimur Ali Khan’s fourth birthday on 20 December.

Exp. Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has retired from international cricket, the PCB has confirmed. Amir represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 50 T20Is, and recently played in the inaugural Lanka Premier League for runners-up Galle Gladiators.

“I am leaving cricket for now because I’m being mentally tortured said Amir.

Exp. Headquarters location: Nairobi, Kenya.

Head: Inger Andersen

Exp. Minister responsible: Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

Exp. Capital: Vienna

Currency: Euro

Exp. Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary is a Wildlife Sanctuary in Tripura, India.